Organic solvents as risk factor for autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Genetic and epigenetic factors interacting with the environment over time are the main causes of complex diseases such as autoimmune diseases (ADs). Among the environmental factors are organic solvents (OSs), which are chemical compounds used routinely in commercial industries. Since controversy exists over whether ADs are caused by OSs, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess the association between OSs and ADs. Methods and Findings: The systematic search was done in the PubMed, SCOPUS, SciELO and LILACS databases up to February 2012. Any type of study that used accepted classification criteria for ADs and had information about exposure to OSs was selected. Out of a total of 103 articles retrieved, 33 were finally included in the meta-analysis. The final odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained by the random effect model. A sensitivity analysis confirmed results were not sensitive to restrictions on the data included. Publication bias was trivial. Exposure to OSs was associated to systemic sclerosis, primary systemic vasculitis and multiple sclerosis individually and also to all the ADs evaluated and taken together as a single trait (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.25-1.92; p-value, 0.001). Conclusion: Exposure to OSs is a risk factor for developing ADs. As a corollary, individuals with non-modifiable risk factors (i.e., familial autoimmunity or carrying genetic factors) should avoid any exposure to OSs in order to avoid increasing their risk of ADs.

How do autoimmune diseases cluster in families? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: A primary characteristic of complex genetic diseases is that affected individuals tend to cluster in families (that is, familial aggregation). Aggregation of the same autoimmune condition, also referred to as familial autoimmune disease, has been extensively evaluated. However, aggregation of diverse autoimmune diseases, also known as familial autoimmunity, has been overlooked. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed aimed at gathering evidence about this topic. Methods: Familial autoimmunity was investigated in five major autoimmune diseases, namely, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Articles were searched in Pubmed and Embase databases. Results: Out of a total of 61 articles, 44 were selected for final analysis. Familial autoimmunity was found in all the autoimmune diseases investigated. Aggregation of autoimmune thyroid disease, followed by systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, was the most encountered. Conclusions: Familial autoimmunity is a frequently seen condition. Further study of familial autoimmunity will help to decipher the common mechanisms of autoimmunity.

Conceptual and critical analysis of the Implicit Leadership Theory

The purpose of this essay is to present a conceptual and critical analysis of the Implicit Leadership Theory (ILT). The objectives are: 1) explaining the main concepts of the ILT; 2) explaining the main processes of the ILT; 3) identifying constructivist assumptions in the ILT; 4) identifying constructionist assumptions in the ILT, and 5) analyzing critically theoretical assumptions of the ILT. At analyzing constructivism and constructionism assumptions in the ILP, the constructivist leadership and the constructionist leadership are described. At the end, a critical analysis of TLP ILT and conclusions are presented.

Social housing and land use planning in Medellin during the period 2006-2011. Steps towards socio economic and residential segregation

This paper presents an approach to the relationship between land use planning and socioeconomic residential segregation, from the location of social housing in Medellin, Colombia, during the period 2006-2011. The first part introduces the land use regulations regarding the location of social housing, identifying ambiguities in the current spatial plan. Next, we present the intersection of  regulatory information and the location of the projects that were under construction during the  study period, highlighting the need to consider the location as an important characteristic of social housing and residential segregation as a phenomenon that must be recognized and worked on land  use planning in our cities.

Bilateral trade between New Zealand & the pacific alliance: perspectives and possibilities for further trade engagement

Due to the rapid and effective success of countries in the Pacific Rim for the last two decades, current world trade attention has been focussed on what appears to be the common vision of the ‘Pacific Century’. Reducing attention from the Atlantic and focusing it on the Pacific represents a new challenge for countries touching this ocean. The main Latin American economies bordering the pacific have taken upon this challenge with the creation of the Pacific Alliance in 2011. In this way, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru intend to penetrate and increase trade with the region by forming a coalition. The Pacific Alliance has attracted international attention, interest and support from nations around the world, counting 32 countries as observers; 7 are actually located in the region and six of them rank amongst the Top 15 world economies. As is expected, the possibility of closer trade engagement with big players such as China, India, Japan, South Korea or Australia absorb the main attention of media, governments and academics alike, leaving behind other feasible and possible opportunities unattended. That is precisely the case of New Zealand and its favourable commerce opportunities with the Pacific Alliance. The following document will study the major trends and variations in trade between New Zealand, the Pacific Alliance and its members between 2010 and 2014. Proving that mutual trade is most likely to keep on growing.

Estimating and Forecasting the Term Structure of Interest Rates:US and Colombia Analysis

In this paper we use the most representative models that exist in the literature on term structure of interest rates. In particular, we explore affine one factor models and polynomial-type approximations such as Nelson and Siegel. Our empirical application considers monthly data of USA and Colombia for estimation and forecasting. We find that affine models do not provide adequate performance either in-sample or out-of-sample. On the contrary, parsimonious models such as Nelson and Siegel have adequate results in-sample, however out-of-sample they are not able to systematically improve upon random walk base forecast.

Adult training policy with respect to basic skills : economic and social issues. 'La política de formación de adultos con respecto a las competencias básicas : cuestiones económicas y sociales'.

Resumen basado en el de la publicación

The relationship between career guidance and financial guidance.

Resumen basado en el del autor. Resumen en inglés y castellano. Incluye síntesis en castellano

Mathematical and electrical analysis of pulsed tones

This paper discusses a study conducted to perform a mathematical analysis and an electrical analysis of pulsed tones to determine which type of pulsed tone is most suitable.

Verification of computed tomographic estimates of cochlear implant array position: A micro-CT and histological analysis

We examine the efficacy two volume spatial registration of pre and postoperative clinical computed tomography (CT) imaging to verify post-operative electrode array placement in cochlear implant (CI) patients. To measure the degree of accuracy with which the composite image predicts in-vivo placement of the array, we replicate the CI surgical process in cadaver heads. Pre-operative, post-operative, micro CT imaging and histology are utilized for verification.

Finanzas, cultura y poder en la comunidad Salasaca: un análisis de la experiencia del microcrédito y cooperativas indígenas

Este trabajo examina a los microcréditos como método para propulsar el desarrollo. A la vez, revela varios efectos de las microfinanzas sobre la pobreza, la cultura y las relaciones de poder a través de un análisis económico y etnográfico sobre los indígenas de Salasaca. Muestra que las instituciones financieras organizadas y dirigidas por otros indígenas, con el apoyo y los consejos de la comunidad internacional, exitosamente crean nuevos métodos sensibles a la cultura indígena para la distribución de créditos. Sin embargo, estos créditos no alivian la pobreza ni generan desarrollo económico y social dentro de la comunidad. Los préstamos otorgados por estas instituciones dan esperanza, pero no resultan en la creación de nuevas posibilidades para las comunidades indígenas. Además, la ampliación del acceso al crédito produce efectos corolarios negativos sobre la cultura y las relaciones de poder en la comunidad, beneficiando a los poderosos. Así, se muestra que la teoría de las microfinanzas tiene varias falencias.

The creation of euro area financial safety nets. Bruegel Working Paper 2012/09, July 2012

The financial crisis has exposed the need to devise stronger and broader international and regional safety nets in order to deal with economic and financial shocks and allow for countries to adjust. The euro area has developed several such mechanisms over the last couple of years through a process of trial and error and gradual enhancement and expansion. Their overall architecture remains imperfect and leaves areas of vulnerabilities. This paper provides an overview of the recent financial stability mechanisms and their various shortcomings and tries to brush the outline of a more comprehensive safety net architecture that would coherently address the banking, sovereign and external imbalances crises against both transitory and more permanent shocks. It aims to provide a roadmap for further improvements of the current mechanism and the creation of new devices including a banking resolution mechanism and amore powerfulmechanismto provide financial assistance addressing both the sovereign and external dimensions of the shocks thereby reducing the need for the ECB to fill the current void.